Test & Go V2.0 has obtained a common thumbs down by Thaiger readers and viewers. Or nearly anywhere else in ผลไม้ . The rebooted, and barely extra complicated, Test & Go possibility, part of the three-part Thailand Pass online re-entry program, was relaunched on Thursday for travellers arriving after February 1.
Initially launched on November 1, and a preferred choice for travellers throughout both November and December final 12 months, Test & Go has had a couple of tweaks before the announcement to reboot this system on Thursday. It’s now Test & Go, then check again, then go… hopefully.
An added 5th day reserving of an SHA+ resort, and accompanying PCR check, plus extra insurance coverage demands for travellers, was roundly criticised in all The Thaiger comments sections. In fact we battled to find even one complimentary publish welcoming the second model of the, apparently, “quarantine-exemption” re-entry. From tatness.org…
“Thailand’s Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) has approved the resumption of the Exemption from Quarantine (TEST & GO) entry scheme.”
In reality it’s something however quarantine-free. Now, with not one, however two, compulsory one-night stays at an SHA+ resort and a further PCR test… each at the traveller’s cost. The further Day 5 PCR verify seems to be the straw the broke the again of any last goodwill travellers had for Thailand presently.
Remember, these travellers were already required to have a PCR check of their house nation earlier than they travel to Thailand then, in plenty of circumstances, one other PCR (or Rapid Antigen Test) check before they get on the plane and head house.
The timing isn’t nice both with the normal high season already winding down. Sure, there’ll still be Thais, expats and different travellers that need to, or notably WANT to, get to Thailand right now, but any large surge in tourism, under the present pointers, can’t be expected to be higher than the November and December totals last yr.
Whilst much of the world is making progress with fewer restrictions and ‘opening up’, Thailand has introduced a new versions of Test & Go with MORE restrictions.
The online response has been universally brutal….
Lone Wolf The present situation finances and brief holidays tourist is restricted at best then you add the constant changing of visa guidelines is not workable for a lot of vacationers who needs to organise journeys months upfront.
WD ONeal My kids and grandkids had been going to come in March. Planned on dropping $25-30K US on the Thai financial system whereas right here. Well the second lodge PCR check requirement was just too much for them to take care of. They travel typically and mentioned they never noticed so many absurd necessities.
Smiley McGee I went to Thailand in late November underneath the primary “Test&Go” and stayed 4 weeks. Turned out I was really lucky and had good timing. For me to go back again they should drop each restriction and go back to normal. Too much of a risk going to Thailand during these occasions.
John Mac Thailand goes to lose a Significant amount of tourist if they proceed with the new Test & Go Rules. Why can’t they only accept the RT-PCR Test that vacationers get 72 hours before departure to Thailand.
Peter Ino It’s too difficult and dangerous. I think they want to think about that asymptomatic vacationers pose little threat if they are accountable and use a mask. Surely it’s time to treat this as a bad flu.
jkn1960 Test,Go,Stop,Test,Go Again (if you’re lucky). Tourism won’t ever recover until they provide you with something sensible.
Charles Brie I gave up on making an attempt to trip in Thailand. There are way too many requirements amd restrictions at this time. Perhaps they may get all of it sorted out by 2025. Until then, Europe, USA, and South America look like simpler trip choices.
Alex Kid Problem just isn’t the value of PCR check …. the issue is the 2 PCR test after arrival which may completely damage your holidays in case you are positive.
Check any of The Thaiger forums and comments sections for yourselves (or nearly any other comment area on the topic). Honestly, we’ve by no means seen such an outpouring of such unfavorable commentary on a selected matter.
The different drawback is, not a lot the added complexities and costs, it’s the dangers of testing positive. And these risks are neither low nor low-cost. Again, The Thaiger has been flooded with emails and desperate pleas for help from people which have been caught in a Covid hell – forcefully quarantined, at their value, in AQ resorts, hospitals and area hospitals. Most asymptomatic. Some have had the double whammy, due to their incarceration, of lacking flights and visa expirations, and been fined for overstay when finally leaving the country.
Some of those horror tales have ended up in international media…. “Australian woman, 14, locked in Thai Covid resort as journey horror tales pile up”
Whilst the tourism and hospitality sector are doing their finest to place a optimistic spin on the situation and get their very own businesses up and going once more, some at great cost, they must even be shaking their head as Thai officialdom appears, no much less than from the surface, to be making things as complicated as possible.
Of course Thailand may be typically pleased with its Covid response. Whilst many people feared the worst, in the early days, Thailand showed that with constant, and at times almost draconian, restrictions and closures, a country CAN restrict the direct well being implications of the coronavirus.
South East Asia, typically, has been one of the least exhausting hit parts of the world. When it comes toCovid-related deaths per million inhabitants, Malaysia leads SE Asian international locations but is still #86 on the record of 224 international locations, territories and specific Covid incidents.
Then you want to scroll right down to #119 to search out Indonesia. Thailand is #134. Even although folks will point to reduced testing in some instances, over-burdened hospitals or spikes generally dying rates have not been a characteristic indicating any underlying, undetected Covid surges in these countries. Diet? Climate? DNA? That will certainly be the subject for later research.
We imagine that, given the general improvement within the Covid situation all over the world, and the persevering with low numbers of Covid infections within the Kingdom, that the CCSA will swiftly scale back the number of restrictions and paperwork hurdles currently confronting travellers. But, for now, travellers will have the choice of Test & Go V2.0 and numerous Sandbox programs to contemplate from February 1, 2022.
HERE’S the web site for the Thailand Pass.
Here’s yesterday’s Good Morning Thailand program the place we went via many of the modifications and viewer’s reactions to the model new model of Test & Go.
SOURCES: worldometers.info | tatnews.org
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
If you’re totally vaccinated and seeking to travel to Thailand, you could enter by a 1 Day Test & Go bundle..